In a strategic move to deepen financial inclusion and promote homegrown payment solutions, Unity Bank Plc has announced a strengthened collaboration with AfriGo, Nigeria’s national domestic card scheme, to scale the adoption of electronic payments across its retail customer base.
The renewed partnership was sealed during a high-level engagement session held at Unity Bank’s Lagos head office, with the Executive Management teams of both organizations present.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Ebenezer Kolawole, Managing Director/CEO of Unity Bank, reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to promoting AfriGo as a key player in the electronic payments ecosystem.
“We are committed to making the AfriGo Card a primary delivery channel for Unity Bank. As a national domestic card scheme, it deserves to be promoted both internally and externally as a local solution with significant potential to redefine Nigeria’s card payment landscape,” he said.
Mr. Kolawole also encouraged AfriGo to scale up public awareness campaigns to further drive market acceptability and user adoption, especially among retail customers and underserved populations.
In his remarks, Mr. Ebehijie Momoh, Managing Director of AfriGo, commended Unity Bank for being among the top five adopters of the AfriGo card scheme, citing the Bank’s consistent support as critical to its growing footprint.
“AfriGo continues to deliver innovations such as instant payments and offline functionality, helping to bring electronic payments to more Nigerians, especially in areas with limited digital infrastructure,” Momoh stated.
He also highlighted ongoing collaborations with solutions like Tap & Go, which are accelerating the adoption of contactless payment technologies—providing convenience for everyday transactions, including public transportation, small-scale retail, and leisure activities. AfriGo’s focus on enhancing digital payment infrastructure aligns with Unity Bank’s broader innovation agenda, aimed at simplifying financial services and boosting inclusion nationwide.
Unity Bank’s Digital Push
Unity Bank has been at the forefront of digital transformation in Nigeria’s financial services sector. Its notable innovations include:
- *USSD banking (7799#)** in local languages, bringing financial services to rural and semi-urban users;
- Unifi, a digital banking platform tailored for youth;
- GenFi, a gamified mobile banking app developed to instill financial literacy and smart money habits in children and teenagers.
With this partnership, both institutions aim to scale digital banking access, support Nigeria’s cashless policy, and accelerate the adoption of locally developed financial technologies that meet the needs of today’s dynamic retail market.
The Unity Bank–AfriGo alliance marks another step forward in building a resilient, inclusive, and technology-driven financial ecosystem in Nigeria.
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